By the year 2021 SA's average household size is projected to decline to between 2.0 and 2.2 persons, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS ) today. This is partly due to an increase in the number of older people living alone.

In 1998 the marriage rate per 1,000 people remained stable at 5.4, compared to 7.2 in 1988. The main falls in marriage rates have been in the population aged under 25 years. Rates have remained fairly stable in the older age groups.

Meanwhile, the divorce rate of 2.8 per 1,000 population was one point lower than it was in 1988.

In terms of migration from overseas, data compiled from the Overseas Arrivals and Departures collectionshows that with less than 4% of the national total in 1997-98, SA attracts a relatively low share of the migrant intake.

Heart disease remains the most significant cause of death for both men and women in 1998, with 28.4% of males and 30.1% of female deaths being attributed to this. Cancer continued to be the second single leading cause of death, accounting for 27.6% of males and 24.3% of females.

Demography SA 1998 (cat. no. 3311.4) is available in ABS bookshops. The main features of the publication may be found on this site. The ABS encourages media organisations with online news services to link to the main findings. Please phone us if you need assistance to do this.

If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication telephone 02 6252 5249.